Level.



PATENTED FEB. 7, 1905.

L. H. BRADSHAW.

LEVEL.

APPLIUATION FILED 00T. a. 1904.

UNTTED STATES PATENT Patented February '7, 1905.

FFICE@ LEVEL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 781,995, dated February '7, 1905.

Application tiled October 3,1904. Serial No. 227,012.

To r1/// 11s/mm, 'it 71mg/ concern/.-

Be it known that I', Lewis H. BnADsiiAw, a citizen of the United States ot' America, i'esidingl at Allegheny, in the county ot' Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented cei'- tain new and uset'ul YImpi'oveinents in Levels, ot' which the following is a specification. ret'- ei'ence being had therein t0 the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to cei'taiii new and usetul improvements in levels, and moi'e particulai'ly to the level-glasses thereof.

'Ihe object ot' this invention is to provide a novelform ot' level-glass which may be tirmly secured in a level and protected from being injured.

Anotliei' object of this invention is to pi'ovide a level-glass which may be readily secured in the levels commonly used, and in constructing my improved level I have enihodied such features ot' construction as to i'educe the cost ot' manufacture to a minimum, at the same time maintaining' a strong and durable construction.

Briefly described, my improved level coniprises a body portion which is provided with a plurality ot' openings, and in each ot' these openings is mounted a metallic casing which is adapted to contain the level-glass. The casing is provided with cut-away portions or openings thi'ough which the glass will be visiblc and the level so constructed that in case the glass should become bi'oken the casings may be -i'emoved and new glasses placed therein.

'Ihe above construction will be hereinafter i moi'e t'ully described and then specifically` i i r the level. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view otl my improved level, and Fig` 4 is a detail perspective view otl the level-glass casing in an opened position.

lVhen constructing my improved level, VI intend to use a suitable material, such as wood or metal, for the body portionot' the level, and the body portion is to be provided with a plurality of openings in which my improved level casing and glass is mounted. In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated three openings in connection with my iinpi'oved level, each opening being constructed identical with the other, and I do not cai'e to conline myself to the exact number of openings that may be formed in the level, as one or more ot' these openings may be dispensed with and a level provided having only one opening formed centrally therein.

The reference -numeral 1 designates the body portion of the level, and the referenceiuimei'al i) the openings formed in the. body portion. '.Ihese openings are provided with beveled edges 3 3, and to these edges ai'e secui'ed the level-glass casings i, containing' the level-glasses. As each opening and each levelglass casing is identicahl deem it only necessary to describe one ot' said openings containing a level-glass.

The level-glass casing, which is clearly illustrated in Figs. 3 and l ot' the drawings, is formed of sheet metal or the like material and consists l' the sides 5 5, the edges ot' which ai'e bent inwardly, as indicated at 6, the cornei's ot' each side 5 being' provided upon the exterior thereotl with lugs 7, said lugs having openings 8 formed therein,where by screws 9 may be employed for securing the lugs upon the beveled edges 3 of the openings 2. The inner faces of the sides are provided with a plurality ot' inwardly-extending lugs IO, which ai'e adapted to engage the inner sides ot the level-glass Il. 'Ihe level-glass is preferably constructedwhereby it will contorni tothe contour of the casing A, and the inwardly-extending edges (5 of said casing will support the level-glass upon the exterior sides ot' the saine, while the lugs l() will support the innei' sides ot' said level-glass and prevent the same 'from moving within the casing when the levelglass has been placed therein. 'The edges of the casing are cut away, as indicated at 12 12, whereby openings will be formed in the casing When the same has been placed around the level-glass, these openings permittingthe level-glass to be exposed, whereby it may be observed when the level is to be used.

By employing the level-glass casing and by securing the same within the opening 2 of the level it will be impossible for the level-glass contained within the same to become displaced or in any manner injured by the rough usage to which level-glasses are generally subjected. If it be desired, openings may be formed in the edge of the level communicating with the openings formed in the side of the level, as shown in Fig. 3, whereby the level-glass may be observed from the top edge of the level.

1t will be seen by the peculiar rectangular shape of the glasses and the casings that a space will exist between the edges of the casing and the sides of the openings formed in the level, and this space will permit of the level-glass being observed from the sides of the level. By forming openings in the casing upon the four sides thereof the level-glass may be observed from four dilerent positions that the level may assume-that is, the glass may be observed when the level is standing on either one of its ends or lying upon either one of its edges.

It will be noted that various changes may be made in the details of construction without departing from the general spirit and scope of the invention.

Vhat 1 claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. A level comprisinga body portion having an opening formed therein, a casing consisting ot'half-sections, each provided with laterallyextending pierced lugs and a level-glass mounted in said casing.

2. A level comprising a body portion having a plurality of openings formed therein, a rectangular casing mounted in each opening, a rectangular level-glass mounted in each casing, each casing having openings formed therein, means for supporting levelglasses within said casings, and means for supporting said casings Within said openings,substantially as described.

3. The combination with a level-body having anvopening with beveled edges, of a casing seated in said opening, said casing being formed of two similar sections each having laterally-extending pierced lugs resting on the beveled edges of the opening in the body and inwardly-extending lugs, and a level -glass mounted between the sections of the casing and sustained in position by said inwardly-extending lugs.

In testimony whereof Iax my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

. LElNlS H. BRADSHAVV.

Witnesses:

E.- E. POTTER, K. H. BUTLER 

